There’s no feeling quite like bringing home your little bundle of joy for the first time. To first-time parents, however, this privilege can prove to be quite the challenge.
There’s no such thing as a perfect parent—it’s inevitable that you won’t do everything just right. Read on to avoid these common mistakes.
Sudden infant death syndrome
SIDS is the leading cause of death in some 3,500 babies per year. Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that you place babies to sleep on their backs. The guidelines also strongly discourage babies from sleeping on soft bedding or with any toys or loose blankets around them. In addition, don’t keep your home or baby’s room too warm.
Car seat safety
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that 91 percent of parents make serious mistakes when installing their child’s car seat or putting their newborns into those seats. Make sure your infant’s head is secure and does not fall forward or to the side in the car seat. Many car seat brands sell additional inserts for head and neck support. Get one! Plus, you can have your car seat installation inspected for free at the Ocala Police Department to ensure a snug, proper fit.
Baby fever
Fevers can be serious, especially in a newborn. If your baby is younger than 3 months and develops a fever of 100.4°F or higher, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Tummy time
Although your baby may enjoy their time riding in a car seat or playing in a bouncy seat—it is not very beneficial to them. Try to limit the amount of time your baby is confined to a seat. Tummy time helps your baby develop strong muscles and fine motor skills.
Hungry or not
Babies run on a tight schedule. For the first few weeks, they need to be fed every two to three hours. Consult your pediatrician once they have regained their birth weight for an updated feeding schedule. Typically, after babies have exceeded their birthweight, they can be fed every three to five hours or whenever they let you know they are hungry.
Photo-ops
In the blink of an eye, your baby will be off to college. You may not believe it in the moment, but it’s true. They say the days go by slowly, but the years fly by. Preserve the memories by taking plenty of pictures and videos and by keeping a detailed journal of moments you’ll cherish forever, like the first roll, first babble, etc.
Get some rest
Parents—this one is for you. According to psychologist James Maas, Ph.D., new parents lose upward of 400 hours of sleep during their babies first year. To stay alert, it is important to remain well-rested. Try catching some Z’s during your infant’s afternoon nap. Better yet, get the grandparents or a trusted friend to come over for a few hours to watch the little one so you can shower and rest.
Source: cnn.com, parents.com
